Walsall: 'No-fear' factor key for Saddlers' FA Cup heroes

FA Cup fighters Walsall say the secret to their success in knockout football this season is the "no-fear" philosophy they possess when it comes to facing higher-ranked opponents

In six cup matches in 2024-25, Mat Sadler's side have beaten four League One clubs - including local rivals Birmingham City on penalties - held Premier League Leicester City only to lose on penalties and have also beaten Fulham's under-21s.

And, added to their fast-growing promotion challenge to exit League Two for the first time in six years, Saturday's FA Cup match-winners Liam Gordon and Jamie Jellis against Bolton Wanderers believe it stems simply from the sheer belief that they are good enough to play in League One or higher.

"It's our mentality," Gordon told BBC Radio WM. "We have no fear going into these games against higher opposition.

"It possibly spurs us on a bit more, as we believe we'll be there next season.

"A big reason for signing my contract extension was because I knew what the gaffer's plans were for this season," added Gordon. "So it is no surprise to me what is happening now."

Defender Gordon's equaliser before the hour mark, just four minutes after Josh Sheehan had given four-time cup winners Bolton the lead, helped set up a grandstand finish which Jellis capped when he kept his cool to win the tie for the Saddlers a minute into added time.

"I sort of knew I was going to get an opportunity and I thought I've just got to take it as it could be the match-winner," said midfielder Jellis, after hitting his fifth goal of the season.

He cites former Saddlers hero Darren Byfield, Walsall's extra-time play-off final hero in Cardiff in 2001 and now part of the backroom team, as his main inspiration.

"I've talked about it a lot with Darren Byfield," he told BBC Radio WM. "It all comes from the confidence and momentum I'm taking into every game. Just thinking that I'm going to get that chance and score.

"It's not just me. The positivity that runs through the dressing room - we all drive that."

Having taken down 1958 winners Bolton, now Walsall have to leaf back in FA Cup final records to the 1947 winners Charlton Athletic, who will next brave the fearless Bescot Stadium experience in round two in early December - and the Addicks have been warned.

"We fear nobody at the minute," said Jellis. "And that's testimony to the characters we have."

Jamie Jellis and Liam Gordon were talking to BBC Radio WM's Chris Coles